Pope begs forgiveness for sexual abuse scandal

Pope Benedict on Friday begged forgiveness from God and victims of child sexual abuse by priests and promised that the Catholic Church would do everything in its power to ensure that it never happens again

Pope Benedict on Friday begged forgiveness from God and victims of child sexual abuse by priests and promised that the Catholic Church would do everything in its power to ensure that it never happens again.

The pope made his comments, some of his clearest ever about the sexual abuse scandal that has swept the Church around the world, during a homily in St Peter's Square to end the Roman Catholic Church's "Year of the Priest" celebrations.